Early Warning Systems in the Global South: challenges and innovative approaches

Early warning systems (EWS) are widely recognized as one of the most effective tools for protecting lives and livelihoods from natural hazards. The Early Warnings for All initiative, launched by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2022, aims to ensure universal protection from hazardous hydrometeorological, climatological, and related environmental events through life-saving, multi-hazard early warning systems, anticipatory action, and strengthened resilience by 2027. However, despite substantial advances in forecasting capabilities over recent decades, the practical implementation of effective and actionable EWS remains challenging, with pronounced regional disparities, particularly in developing and fragile contexts.

This talk presents real-world experiences from the implementation of impact-based early warning systems in developing countries. It highlights key operational challenges across the early warning–early action chain, including gaps in risk and impact data, institutional coordination constraints, and difficulties in translating forecasts into timely and trusted decisions. The contribution also discusses opportunities offered by innovative approaches, such as the collaborative co-production of early warnings in transboundary river basins, impact-based forecasting frameworks, AI-supported forecasts, and the integration of local knowledge in operational EWS.